Bahamas immigration minister quits after Smith photo controversy

MANUEL RIVERA

Published
6:00 pm CST, Sunday, February 18, 2007

Associated Press Writer

The leader of the main opposition party in the Bahamas scolded the government Monday for not acting sooner to remove the country's immigration minister over his seemingly preferential treatment to Anna Nicole Smith.

Hubert Ingraham, leader of the opposition Free National Movement, said Prime Minister Perrie Christie should not have waited until Immigration Minister Shane Gibson offered his resignation on Sunday night to remove him from the Cabinet.

Gibson had been under fire since four days after Smith's death when a local newspaper published photos of him embracing her on a bed.

"It is a scandal that has done much damage to the country," said Ingraham, a former prime minister, at a news conference in the capital of Nassau.

Ingraham accused Gibson of abusing his post by fast-tracking Smith's residency permit because of his friendship with the former model who died Feb. 8 in Florida. Smith's death has set off a battle over her 5-month-old daughter, Dannielynn, and her potential inheritance.

Ingraham said Gibson "rushed through" the approval of permit for Smith, who he said was "not a suitable person" for Bahamas residency because of her notoriety.

By law, the prime minister must call elections in 2007 but a date has not been set.

Ingraham's criticism resonated with some Bahamians.

"My opinion is that Shane Gibson should have resigned on the first day," said Patrice Stuart, 36, as she walked past the pink parliament building in Nassau.

"He should have resigned the first day, with dignity," agreed Ana Lang, who was walking with Stuart.

Gibson refused to resign until Sunday, announcing on state TV that he had quit but insisting he had done nothing wrong. Gibson, who is married, called accusations that he had an affair with the former model and gave her special treatment "vicious and wicked lies."

The photographs in the Tribune of Nassau showed Smith and Gibson embracing fully clothed on a bed.